Free seafood hygiene course launched

Anyone who works with seafood is now able to access a free online food hygiene training module.

The open learning module has been devised by Seafish, the public body that supports the £6 billion UK seafood industry. The launch marks the first time that the complete ‘Hygiene and Cleaning in the Seafood Industry’ course has been made available in an online format. Previously, it was only available as part of a printed package.

Ken Williams, a fishmonger at Tesco, Helsby, is the first person to have passed the Elementary Food Hygiene Exam from the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland using Seafish’s online food hygiene open learning module

The Seafish food hygiene module, which has been used to train more than 10,000 people, provides training for elementary food safety, covering food handling, cleaning, HACCP and the prevention of cross-contamination.

The module includes a new chapter covering food hygiene for fish friers, extending its scope to cover specific issues such as oil management and allergen awareness.

The new format is now supported by an online test portal, which can be used by individuals to test their understanding of the module’s content. Proof of the test’s successful completion can serve as an in-company record of food hygiene training, as well as providing all the information needed to sit the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) Elementary Food Hygiene exam, leading to a recognised and regulated qualification.

Lee Cooper, National Learning and Standards Manager at Seafish, said: “Seafish has long been committed to providing the industry with high-quality, fit-for-purpose educational resources, and the new online format of our hygiene training module means that anyone, anywhere, can now access the information they need to know to operate safely as a food handler.

“This online course can be all a business needs by way of a documented training programme. As well as studying the module on the internet, individuals can purchase the printed edition and a DVD, or take part in a one day taught course for a reasonable fee.

“We’ve already had our first person to achieve a formal qualification using the online food hygiene material – Ken Williams, a fishmonger at Tesco in Helsby.

“I urge anyone working with seafood to take advantage of this opportunity to ensure that they, or their employees, are well trained and confident when it comes to food hygiene standards.”

Hygiene and Cleaning in the Seafood Industry can be accessed online, free of charge, through the Seafish Seafood Training Academy: http://seafoodacademy.org/. Alternatively, printed copies can be ordered by emailing onshore@seafish.co.uk, or calling 01472 252 300.